ORIGINAL: Lilredmachine
Knock offs are fine. Be careful how much you spend though.
The 18T isn't anything special, you might want to look at a Pro-Pulse if you are thinking of one, it has better steering, is very tough and although brushed is still faster than the 18T.
At that rate you might as well be suggesting they buy their next RC at Walmart of Target. They're fine too, for what you get.
Name-brand RCs
are special primiarly because of the factory and aftermarket parts support they have, along with the factory testing of vehicles and parts before they're released to the general public, something ANY knock-off lacks.
If you don't mind giving your money to some scam artist that's copied a product that another company put hundreds of hours of research & development into producing, that's you're choice. Otherwise you're whole contention and point of PP superiority is ridiculous.